The simplest spellcasting class is the one that the DM makes a pre-gen character sheet of... selecting only a small amount of the easiest spells for the class for this character to have "prepared". And copy/pasting/editing the spell blocks out of the book and onto a Word document so that the DM can then edit the description down to get rid of all the superfluous "special information" and "special rules" that the new player doesn't actually need to know.
A player gets handed a Wizard character sheet whose spells are Magic Missile, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Shield, and Thunderwave, (plus two pew-pew Cantrips) there should be very little confusion or difficulty for that player running that character.
Then as the DM, you just figure out the core competencies of the player and whether or not they are willing or can handle reviewing and learning the Spellcasting and Spells of that magic-using class, and let them decide for themselves if they want to start adding more magic to their repertoire. If they don't? At level up you just choose two more spells for them to add to their list that are simple to use.
As a DM you either need to be comfortable holding some of your player's hands... or be comfortable not inviting them to your table if you don't wish to do so and their inability to grasp the game is that much of a hardship for you.
A player gets handed a Wizard character sheet whose spells are Magic Missile, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Shield, and Thunderwave, (plus two pew-pew Cantrips) there should be very little confusion or difficulty for that player running that character.
Then as the DM, you just figure out the core competencies of the player and whether or not they are willing or can handle reviewing and learning the Spellcasting and Spells of that magic-using class, and let them decide for themselves if they want to start adding more magic to their repertoire. If they don't? At level up you just choose two more spells for them to add to their list that are simple to use.
As a DM you either need to be comfortable holding some of your player's hands... or be comfortable not inviting them to your table if you don't wish to do so and their inability to grasp the game is that much of a hardship for you.
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